SMITHSONIAN CHANNEL(TM) KICKS OFF NEW 2019 WILD WEDNESDAYS WITH THREE WILDLIFE FILM PREMIERES

NEW FILMS INCREDIBLE ANIMAL MOMENTS, AMAZING PIGS AND NAKED MOLE RATS TO DEBUT WEDNESDAY NIGHTS AT 8 PM ET/PT STARTING FEBRUARY 6

NEW YORK - January 7, 2019 - Smithsonian Channel prepares to captivate animal lovers of all kinds with astonishing revelations of the wild in three brand new films kicking off the network's signature Wild Wednesdays for 2019. From some of the most incredible wildlife moments ever caught on camera to the amazing survival methods and abilities of pigs to revelations about the remarkable genetic secrets of the naked mole rat, each of these programs will take viewers on a fascinating and surprising journey. Follow these extraordinary, misunderstood animals on Smithsonian Channel in INCREDIBLE ANIMAL MOMENTS (February 6 at 8 PM ET/PT), AMAZING PIGS (February 13 at 8 PM ET/PT) and NAKED MOLE RATS (February 20 at 8 PM ET/PT).

The network's newly announced Wild Wednesday films include:

· INCREDIBLE ANIMAL MOMENTS (premiering February 6): INCREDIBLE ANIMAL MOMENTS counts down some of the most amazing wildlife moments captured on high-speed cameras using stunning macro-photography. The film showcases riveting animal interactions, giving viewers an intimate glimpse into the animal kingdom. From the arid deserts to the deepest oceans, audiences will have a front row seat to witness some of the greatest wildlife footage ever captured in five jaw-dropping categories: Deadly Showdowns, Freaks of Nature, Gang Wars, Rough Romance and Extreme Parenting.

· AMAZING PIGS (premiering February 13): Filthy? Greedy? Lazy? Think again. Pigs are highly intelligent, possess acute senses and thrive in almost every habitat on Earth. With some two billion of them now sharing our planet, AMAZING PIGS embarks on a surprising, funny and fascinating journey around the world to reveal the extraordinary secrets behind the success of these much-overlooked animals. The one-hour special reveals how pigs' incredible senses, intelligence and adaptability help them thrive from frozen Siberia to the turquoise waters of the Bahamas. After discovering the parasite-extinguishing techniques of Ugandan warthogs, the fearsome tusks of Indonesian babirusas and the ocean-swimming habits of Exuma pigs, viewers will never look at pigs the same way again.

· NAKED MOLE RATS (premiering February 20): Despite its pink, wrinkly, nearly hairless appearance, the naked mole rat is among the most enviable creatures: Researchers around the world are puzzled by their incredibly long-life spans, inability to get sick and almost total imperviousness to pain. NAKED MOLE RATS examines these subterranean rodents with an average longevity of over 30 years and unusual physiology that brings to mind traits of the legendary fountain of youth. In a quest to combat age-related health issues and illness, researchers explore the Methuselah gene carried by this remarkable rodent as they search for the naked mole rats' "elixir of life." Using transponder technologies, computer tomography and ultrasound, NAKED MOLE RATS provides a deeper look into the chemistry of this zoological outsider in hopes of finding the keys to their secrets - what do naked mole rats have that we don't?

INCREDIBLE ANIMAL MOMENTS is a Smithsonian Channel production in association with Earth Touch. Justine Schmidt is producer. Joy Galane and David Royle are executive producers.

AMAZING PIGS is a Terra Mater Factual Studios GmbH and Smithsonian Networks production produced by Humble Bee Films. Stephen Dunleavy is executive producer for Humble Bee Films. Martin Meszaros and Sabine Holzer are executive producers for Terra Mater, and Charles Poe and David Royle are executive producers for Smithsonian Channel.

NAKED MOLE RATS is produced by Taglicht Media in association with ZDF and ARTE for Smithsonian Channel. Bernd Wilting is executive producer for Taglicht Media. Joy Galane and David Royle are executive producers for Smithsonian Channel.

Smithsonian Channel(TM), owned by Smithsonian Networks(TM), a joint venture between Showtime Networks Inc. and the Smithsonian Institution, is where curiosity lives, inspiration strikes and wonders never cease. This is the place for awe-inspiring stories, powerful documentaries and amazing factual entertainment, available in HD and 4K Ultra HD across multiple platforms. Smithsonian Channel, winner of Emmy(R) and Peabody awards for its programming, combines the storytelling prowess of SHOWTIME(R) with the unmatched resources and rich traditions of the Smithsonian, to create programming that shines new light on popular genres such as air and space, travel, history, science, nature and pop culture. Among the network's offerings are series including Aerial America, America in Color, The Lost Tapes, Mighty Ships, Million Dollar American Princesses, The Pacific War in Color and Air Disasters, as well as critically-acclaimed specials that include The Coronation, The Mountain Lion and Me, Earth from Outer Space and Titanoboa: Monster Snake. Smithsonian Networks also operates Smithsonian Channel Plus(TM), a subscription video streaming service delivering over a thousand hours of the Channel's stunning and diverse library of documentaries and series in HD and 4K Ultra HD. Smithsonian Channel is also available internationally in Canada, Singapore and Latin America. To learn more, go to www.smithsonianchannel.com, or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram